Antitheft device



Feb. 7., 1939.

H. F. GEORGE ANTITHEFT DEVICE Filed Dec, 9, 1956 Patented Feb. 7, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ANTITHEFT DEVICE Harry F. George, Chicago, Ill.

Application December 9, 1936, Serial No. 114,901

11 Claims. (01. 40-125) The present invention relates to anti-theft devices.

The present invention will be described with reference to devices for holding automobile li- 5 cense plates upon their supporting brackets, al-

though as the description proceeds it will be noted that the invention has a broader application.

An object of the present invention is to provide an anti-theft device which is simple and 10 cheap to manufacture, simple to install and effective in operation.

A further object is to provide a theft preventing device which may be readily manufactured out of inexpensive materials, which will be pre- 15 sentable in appearance, and which will effectually foil the ordinary thief.

Another object is to provide a theft preventing device readily applicable to the holding of the ordinary automobile license plate upon the g usual form of supporting bracket. 7

Further objects will appear as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawing- Figure 1 is a fragmentary view showing an 35 automobile license plate supported on a bracket by means of one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along the plane indicated by the ar- 30 rows 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by the arrows 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view taken in the direction of the arrow 4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a view of the shank portion of the structure shown in Figures 1 to 4, the parts associated with said shank portion being omitted; and

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by the arrows 6--6 of Figure 1.

The numeral Ill indicates a bracket such as commonly provided on motor cars for the reception of a license plate. Such brackets are ordinarily provided with a pair of aligned slots,

45 one of which is shown in Figures 1 and 2 and indicated by the numeral I Disposed on said bracket I0 is a license plate l2. In most instances the license plate is provided with aligned slots I3 adapted to overlie the slots H of the bracket. In some instances the license plate is provided with round holes instead of elongated slots. As the description proceeds it will be clear that the present invention is applicable for use with license plates having either elongated slots,

55 or round holes.

The theft preventing device forming the subject matter of the present invention includes the headed shank portion II, the dished washer IS, the spring washer l6, and the nut l1. Referring first to the headed shank portion ll, it will be 5 noted from the drawing that said portion includes a head l8 which may consist of a metal stamping of cupped formation, said metal stamping having the turned over annular edge portion 9 which, in cooperation with the remainder of 10 said head, serves to grip an ornamental button 20. Said button 20 may be chosen of glass or similar material adapted to reflect light effectively whereby to serve as a warning signal when illuminated by the headlights of an approaching car. The headed shank portion l4 also includes the threaded shank 2|. Said threaded shank 2| includes the head portion 22 adapted to seat within the cup shaped member l8.

Said shank 2| is provided with the diametrically opposed wings 23-23 extending therefrom, which wings 2323 are adapted to be seated within the slot l3 of the license plate I 2 and within the slot .ll of the bracket ID with the shank 2| mounted in position as illustrated in 25 Figure 2. Said wings 23-23 will prevent turning of the shank 2|, execept through a very small angle. Said wings 2323 taper away from the head portion 22 toward the threaded end of the shank 2|, whereby said wings will dig into the metal of the license plate l2 in the event that said license plate has a round hole instead of a slot for receiving said shank 2|. The shank 2| may be riveted to the cup shaped member l8 by means of the swedged out portions 23a.23a. It will be understood, of course, that the base portion of the cup shaped member l8 has a diameter sufficiently great to span the slot l3 of the license plate l2 and the slot ll of the bracket I0.

The dished washer I5 is provided with an aperture of a size to loosely receive the shank 2| Said washer I5 is provided with the annular beaded portion 24 surrounding the shank 2| when said washer I5 is in operative position with respect to said shank 2|. Said washer i5 is provided with the diametrically opposed fingers Mil-24a adapted to be seated within the slot ll of the bracket l0, and to prevent turning over said washer. Said washer will, of course, have sufilcient diameter to span the slot II in the bracket Ill. The spring'washer I6 is preferably provided in encircling relationship with the shank 2| within the recessed portion of the washer l5 centrally of the annular head 24. Said nut I1 preferably takes the form of a frustum of a cone indicated by the numeral 2| and a head portion 20 of hexagonal or other non-round contour. The frustum of a cone 2! is internally threaded I for cooperation with the threaded shank II. The

head 2 has a central aperture of a diameter greater than the diameter of the shank 2 I. Said frustum of a cone 2! and said hexagonal head portion 20 provide between them a weakened 1. portion 21 whereby the hexagonal head portion may be readily sheared oi! by the application of additional turning force after the nut II has been turned home.

The mode of operation of the above described embodiment of the invention will be clear without detailed explanation. It may be explained briefly, however, that when the device is to be used in the holding of a license plate upon the usual form of supporting bracket, the shank 2! I will be inserted through-the slot ll of the license plate and through the slot ll of the bracket Ill. It is understood, of course, that a license plate will ordinarily have slots adjacent to its two ends, and that two of the above described embodiments I of the present invention will be utilized in connection with a single license plate. With the shank 2| in position within the slots 13 and II, as above mentioned, the washer II will be mounted upon the shank 2|, the fingers 2IG24G as thereof beingpositioned within the slot ll of the bracket Ill. The wings 2l23 of the shank 2i will prevent turning of the head portion i 4 within the slots l3 and II. In the event that the license plate has a round hole instead of a slot, I said wings 23-28 will dig into the metal of the license plate, and will thereby be prevented from turning After the washer I I has been located upon the shank 2|, the spring washer it will be mounted in in position and the nut I! will be turned home.

By reason of the weakened portion 21 inwardly of i the hexagonal head portion 28, said hexagonal head portion may bereadily sheared off by the application of a reasonable additional turning 45 force. Under the conditions referred to, there will be little or nothing for a thief to grip for the purpose of backing of! the nut l'l.

When it is desired to change license plates, the frustum of the cone 2! comprising what is left so of the nut I! may be backed oil by applying force to the periphery thereof in an approximately tangential direction as, for example, by means of a chisel and hammer. Though of course a thief could remove the portion 25 of the nut l5 II by this expedient, experience has shown that a sneak thief will not ordinarily go to this trouble for the purpose of stealing a license plate. The present invention, therefore, provides a simple, inexpensive and effective device for foil- 00 ing the sneak thief who might otherwise be tempted to steal license plates, but does not present insurmountable dimculties to one authorized to remove said license plates.

Though a preferred embodiment of the present 05 invention has been described in detail, many modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. It is intended to cover all such modifications which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

70 I claim:

1. In an anti-theft device, in combination, a threaded shank having a headed portion secured thereto, said shank having wings extending diametrically therefrom, a washer adapted to be 75' disposed upon said shank, said washer having fingers extending longitudinally therefrom at diametrically opposite positions, and a nut adapted to be threaded upon said shank, said nut including a smooth peripheral portion having a threaded central aperture and a non-round head I portion having a central aperture of a diameter greater than the diameter of said shank, said smooth peripheral portion and said headed portion having a weakened portion interposed therebetween.

2. In an anti-theft device, in combination, a threaded shank having a head portion secured thereto, said shank having wings extending diametrically therefrom, a washer adapted to be disposed upon said shank, said washer having is fingers extending longitudinally therefrom at diametrically opposite positions, and a nut adapted to be threaded upon said shank, said nut including a smooth peripheral portion having a threaded central aperture and a non-roimd Ii head portion having a central aperture of a diameter greater than the diameter of said shank. said smooth peripheral portion and said headed portion having a weakened portion interposed therebetween, said wings tapering toward the as threaded portion of said shank.

3. In an anti-theft device, in combination, a threaded shank having a headed portion secured thereto, said shank having wings extending diametrically therefrom, a washer adapted to be disposed upon said shank, said washer having fingers extending longitudinally therefrom at di ametrically opposite positions, and a nut adapted to be threaded upon said shank, said nut including a smooth peripheral portion having a I threaded central aperture and a flat sidedhead portion having a central aperture of a diameter greater than the diameter of said shank, said smooth peripheral portion and said headed portion having a weakened portion interposed there- 40 between.

4. In an anti-theft device, in combination, a threaded shank having a headed portion secured thereto, said shank having wings extending diametrically therefrom, a washer adapted to be 48 disposed upon said shank, said washer having fingers longitudinally extending therefrom at diametrically opposite positions, and a nut adapted to be threaded upon said shank, said nut including a smooth peripheral portion having a lil threaded central aperture and a non-round head portion having a central aperture of a diameter greater than the diameter of said shank, said smooth peripheral portion and said headed portion having a weakened portion interposed therebetween, said washer beingrlbbed annularly to provide a central recess for receiving said nut.

. 5. In an anti-theft device, in combination, a threaded shank having a headed portion secured thereto, said shank having wings extending diametrically therefrom, a washer adapted to be disposed upon said shank, said washer having fingers longitudinally extending therefrom at diametrically opposite positions, and a nut adapted to be threaded upon said shank, said nut including a smooth peripheral portion having a threaded central aperture and a non-round head portion having a central aperture of a diameter greater than the diameter of said shank, said smooth peripheral portion and said headed portion having a weakened portion interposed therebetween, said washer being ribbed annularly to provide a central recess for receiving said nut, said wings tapering toward the threaded portion of said shank.

6. In an anti-theft device, in co, a 1s threaded shank having a headed portion secured thereto, said shank having wings extending diametrically therefrom, a washer adapted to be disposed upon said shank, said washer having fingers longitudinally extending therefrom at diametrically opposite positions, and a nut adapted to be threaded upon said shank, said nut including a smooth peripheral portion having a threaded having a central aperture of a diameter greater I than the diameter of said shank, said smooth peripheral portion and said headed portion having a weakened portion interposed therebetween, said washer being ribbed annularly to provide a central recess for receiving said nut.

7. In an anti-theft device, in combination, a threaded shank having a headed portion, a cupped member disposed upon said headed portion, said shank having swedged out portions for holding said cupped member in engagement with said headed portion, said shank having diametrically opposed wings extending therefrom, a washer adapted to be mounted upon said shank, said washer having diametrically opposed fingers adapted to be positioned within a slot of a license bracket, and a nut for holding said washer in position upon said shank, said nut including a smooth peripheral portion having a threaded central aperture and a non-round headed portion having a central aperture of a diameter greater than the diameter of said shank, said peripheral portion and said headed portion being separated by a weakened portion. j

8. In an anti-theft device, in combination, a threaded shank having a headed portion, a cupped member disposed upon said headed portion, said shank having swedged out portions for holding said cupped member in engagement with said headed portion, said shank having diametrically opposed wings extending therefrom, and a nut upon said shank, said nut including a smooth peripheral portion having a threaded central aperture and a non-round headed portion having a central aperture of a diameter greater than the diameter of said shank, said peripheral portion and said headed portion being separated by a weakened portion.

9. In an anti-theft device, in combination, a threaded shank having a headed portion, a cuppedmember disposed uponsaid headed portion, said shank having swedged out portions for holding said cupped member in engagement with said headed portion, said shank having diametrically tral aperture and a non-round headed portion having a central aperture ofa diameter greater than the diameter of said shank, said peripheral portion and said headed portion being separated by a weakened portion, said cup-shaped member being disposed in non-rotatable relationship with said shank by engagement with said wings.

10. In an anti-theft device, in combination, a threaded shank having a headed portion, a cupped member disposed upon said headed portion, said shank having swedged out portions for holding said cupped member in engagement with said headed portion, said shank having diametrically opposed wings extending therefrom, and a nut upon said shank, said nut including a smooth peripheral portion having a threaded central aperture and a non-round'headed portion having a central aperture of a diameter greater than the diameter of said shank, said peripheral portion and said headed portion being separated by a weakened portion, said cup-shaped member being disposed in non-rotatable relationship with said shank by engagement with said wings.

11. In combination, a license supporting bracket, a license plate, said bracket and said license plate having slots adapted to be superposed, an anti-theft device for securing said 11- cense plate to said bracket, said anti-theft device including a threaded shank having a head, said head having a greater diameter than the slot in said license plate, said shank having diametrically opposed wings adapted to lie in said slots in said plate and said bracket to prevent turning of said head relative to said plate and said bracket, and means including a nut adapted to engage against the opposite side ofsaid bracket, said nut including a smooth peripheral portion having a threaded central aperture and a non-round headed portion having a central aperture of a diameter greater than the diameter of said shank, said peripheral portion and said headed portion being separated by a weakened portion, said means including a washer having diametrically opposed fingers adapted to engage within said slot in said bracket.

HARRY F. GEORGE. 

